And now, heading into a season that starts Sept. 1 against South Dakota State at Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State is as positioned as it’s ever been to have another eight-win season. The culture has changed. The players are better, and here’s a biggie:

In the pipeline: Iowa State has a very good 2019 commitment in Easton Dean, a 6-6, 220-pounder and the No. 4 senior in the state of Kansas. There's also a 2020 commitment from Aidan Bouman, a 6-5, 220-pound pro-style quarterback from Buffalo, Minnesota.

Position-group takeaway: Comfortable.

Pete’s analysis: What’s up with all the scholarship quarterbacks? If you’re Iowa State, you can’t have enough. There’s always an injury or something else that causes this program — among many others — to use multiple quarterbacks within a season. Kempt and Noland are locked-in as Nos. 1-2. Both have Big 12 Conference starting wins on their resume, and both will play. Mitchell is the change-of-tempo guy with the shifty moves. Coaches also like true freshman Purdy, a spring signing coup.

In the pipeline: They targeted three 2019 running backs recruits — and they went three-for-three in commitments. Jirehl Brock (6-0, 200) is the gem of the trio, a four-star recruit and No. 3 player in the state of Illinois, according to recruiting websites. Breece Hall (6-1, 215) is the state of Kansas’ No. 1 running back in the 2019 class, and Leonard Glass (5-10, 180) is a Californian that picked the Cyclones over Washington State and Oregon State, among others.

Position-group takeaway: Loaded.

Pete’s analysis: This position is set for the long-term if Montgomery opts for the NFL after his junior season. Warren is the lone senior in the running backs room. Add three high-end recruits — and take a lap in punishment if you questioned the recruiting chops of new running backs coach Nate Scheelhaase.

“Nate is very talented,” Campbell said. “I think that’s one thing you’ve already seen in the fruits of success from what Nate has been able to bring to the table since he’s been here.”

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) dives in for a touchdown to put the Cyclones back up 41-34 during the second half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames. Oklahoma State would go on to win 49-42.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled during the first half of their football game against Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates his touchdown putting the Cyclones up 13-6 during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) runs around Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jarrell Owens (93) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) hands off to sophmore running back David Montgomery (32) during their football game against Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Iowa senior defensive back Miles Taylor (19) during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery poses for a photo during the Iowa State football team media day at Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility on the Iowa State campus in Ames on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017.
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs from TCU defenders Travin Howard (32), Ty Summers (42) and Chris Bradley (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery leads the Big 12 with eight rushing touchdowns and is the second-leading rusher with 716 yards. Iowa State plays at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs from Iowa defensive back Michael Ojemudia, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ames, Iowa. Montgomery is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
The Associated Press

In this Oct. 15, 2016, Iowa State running back David Montgomery (32) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, in Austin, Texas. Montgomery averaged 5.2 yards per carry and closed the season with 141 yards against West Virginia.
Michael Thomas, AP

Pete’s analysis: The difference between seven and eight regular-season victories is how this positively trending position continues to improve. The right side is set with veterans Knipfel and Meeker. Good-Jones, last season’s starting center and the 2016 starting right tackle, can start and play very well anywhere. Depth, as always, is an issue, but not as big a problem as it’s been.

“That group made good headway in the summer, but until the lights come on and you put the ball down and play, we’ll not know,” Campbell said, “but I think we’re trending in that direction.”

In the pipeline: There’s four among the 19 Class of 2019 commitments, including Darien Porter of Bettendorf. Two of the other receiver commitments are from Texas and the other is from Arizona.

Position-group takeaway: Rich.

Pete’s analysis: Butler is so talented that many feel he’d be a Rounds 1 through 3 NFL draft pick if he chose that direction after this season. His freakish talent allows him to play on the edge or inside, and he’ll get most of the targets.

“Maybe he was the best guy our football team last year,” Campbell said when asked about possession all-around talent to catch and run. “Now, it’s how do you take that up another level?" This position group exhibits more speed than past Iowa State receivers — especially with Akers and Milton. There’s a plethora of talent and depth.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

owa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) steps out of bounds on a catch and run during the second half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Memphis, Tennessee. ISU defeated Memphis 21-20.
Rodney White/The Register

Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) runs away from Memphis defenders Tim Hart (35) and Jonathan Cook (14) as Butler runs for a touchdown on a 52-yard pass play in the first half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Associated Press

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) talks with Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) during the first half of their football game against Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Texas Tech defensive back Vaughnte Dorsey interferes with Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler in the second quarter giving Iowa a first down during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Mark Rogers/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP)
The Associated Press

Iowa State redshirt sophomore wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass during the first half of their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Ames.
Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State sophomore wide receiver Hakeem Butler poses for a portrait during the Iowa State football team media day at Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility on the Iowa State campus in Ames on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017.
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

In the pipeline: Four of the six scholarship tights are underclassmen, which places this position in good shape for a while. No one at this position has committed to the 2019 recruiting class, but there’s no reason to panic.

Position-group takeaway: Trending up.

Buy Photo

Iowa State senior linebacker Willie Harvey, right, grabs the ball after tight end Chase Allen pulled in a pass during open practice on Aug. 3, 2018, at Iowa State in Ames.(Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)

Pete’s analysis: I’ll let tight ends coach Alex Golesh handle this one: “We don’t talk about them being young anymore. They look like Big 12 tight ends now. They know the position. It’s as close as we’ve been to what coach Campbell wants in terms of being able to block on the perimeter, block in-line, block in the backfield, and finally understanding how to win one-on-one matchups and beat defenders. We’re as close to having as complete a group of TEs since we’ve been here.”

In the pipeline: Blake Peterson and Corey Suttle have committed to 2019 scholarships — and there’s no urgency to secure more. Nine of the 16 on scholarship have at least two seasons of eligibility remaining after 2018. Peterson is the No. 1 high school senior in the state of South Dakota, according to the 247.com recruiting website.

Position-group takeaway: Solid.

Pete’s analysis: The improvement this position has made since Campbell and his staff arrived is remarkable. Opponents averaged 192.1 rushing yards a game in 2015, and last season, the average was 128.8. That’s significant, too, because the Big 12 is becoming more of a rushing league than in the past. The coaches are recruiting players who fit their schemes — three-man fronts and four-man fronts. Big 12 offenses haven’t caught up to the three-man, but that’ll eventually change.

September 3, 2016: Northern Iowa Panthers quarterback Aaron Bailey (15) is chased by Iowa State Cyclones defensive end JaQuan Bailey (19) during a NCAA football game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the University of Northern Iowa Panthers at Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA.
Merle Laswell/For the Register

In the pipeline: Caleb Johnson totaled 41 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks in 13 games for Fullerton College in 2017. He chose Iowa State over Arkansas, Marshall and Florida Atlantic, and he’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining once he joins the Cyclones in 2019. He’s an outside linebacker — where senior Willie Harvey plays. Coal Flansburg of Solon is another Class of 2019 Cyclones commitment.

Position-group takeaway: Good.

Pete’s analysis: While this is believed to be a strength of the 2018 team, let’s temper that thought-process until seeing his well unproven redshirt freshman Vance mans the middle linebacker spot that Joel Lanning played so well last season. The first-teamers are solid — possibly the best array at the school in a while. Their backups — guys like Sutton, Northrup and Hummel — are solid, too. This position won’t be a liability.

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2017, file photo, Iowa State linebacker Willie Harvey (2) celebrates with teammate Kamari Cotton-Moya (5) after returning an interception 12 yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Iowa in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State (2-1) has scored at least 40 points in each of its first three games for the first time since 1976; the Cyclones have never had four in a row. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
The Associated Press

Iowa State linebacker Willie Harvey and Iowa State linebacker Jordan Harris wrap up Texas running back Johnathan Gray during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)
The Associated Press

Iowa State linebacker Willie Harvey(2) is swarmed after scoring on an interception against UNI during the first half Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
Rodney White/The Register

In the pipeline: A pair of high school recruits from the state of Missouri — cornerback Derrick Miller and safety Vonzell Kelley — have committed, and don’t be shocked if that’s it for the 2019 class. Of the defensive backs on scholarship, Peavy and Payne are the only seniors.

Position-group takeaway: Optimistic.

Pete’s analysis: The Cyclones could have the best pair of cornerbacks in the Big 12, with Peavy and Payne. They’re all-Big 12 caliber, they’ve got pro potential and they’ve got a wealth of experience. Two new starters man the safety spots, including transfer Eisworth, who originally signed with Ole Miss after spurning offers from Baylor and Oklahoma. He has three seasons of eligibility, so this Iowa State’s back end should be stocked for a while.

CLOSE

Iowa State's O'Rien Vance talks about what he learned during his redshirt season last year.
Cody Goodwin, cgoodwin2@dmreg.com

In the pipeline: There’s no need for reinforcements yet, considering the youthfulness at the position.

Position-group takeaway: So-so.

Pete’s analysis: Here’s how this likely breaks down — Dunn is a proven punter, Francis again handles the kickoffs and Narveson will be the place-kicker. Narveson is one of the guys that’s a cinch to play as a true freshmen.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.